Wayne State University has shifted to remote operations due to an ongoing public safety issue stemming from pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up an encampment on campus, demanding the university divest from Israel. Students will receive further instructions via email or Canvas, and all on-campus events are canceled until further notice. Faculty and staff are expected to work remotely if possible.
Early Saturday morning, the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at Princeton University was vandalized with red dye in the fountain and spray paint reading "Pretty Town Bloody Gown" on Robertson Hall. Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest (PIAD) stated that the action was likely by an autonomous group pushing for university divestment from Israel, though PIAD did not coordinate the vandalism. This follows previous pro-Palestine and anti-Israel graffiti incidents on campus. The university has yet to comment.
Portland State University Chief of Campus Police Willie Halliburton was hospitalized after a medical emergency during a campus protest where seven people were arrested, including three students. The protest turned hostile, with officers being assaulted and medical aid for Halliburton delayed. PSU President Ann Cudd and Chief Bob Day condemned the violence, while the Portland Police Bureau emphasized the importance of non-violent protest and the legal consequences of civil disobedience.
Seven people, including three students, were arrested at Portland State University following a protest that led to a physical altercation and the hospitalization of the campus police chief. The protest was related to PSU's ties with Boeing and the situation in Gaza. PSU has paused donations from Boeing and announced new scholarships for students impacted by the Gaza conflict.
UCLA Police Chief John Thomas has been reassigned amid criticism of his handling of recent pro-Palestinian protests on campus. The reassignment follows the creation of a new chief safety officer position and a review of campus security procedures. Former Sacramento police chief Rick Braziel will lead the new Office of Campus Safety overseeing the UCLA Police Department.
Jewish students at Columbia University expressed relief and support for the removal of over 100 anti-Israel protesters who had set up an encampment on campus, leading to fears for their safety. The protesters were arrested by NYPD after Columbia's president authorized the clearance. Students commended the university and police for enforcing rules and ensuring safety, with some describing the protests as antisemitic and disruptive to the campus community.
A Kentucky college student was found unresponsive in his dorm room and pronounced dead at a local hospital, with the cause of death yet to be determined. Local police are searching for a person of interest, and the university has canceled campus events and sports for the day while providing support resources for students.
A fire at SUNY Potsdam's Van Housen Hall led to the evacuation of 62 students and some pets, with 10 students unable to return to their damaged rooms this semester. The fire, which originated in Room 304, resulted in no injuries but caused emotional distress. The state is leading the investigation, and the college is providing on-campus counseling for those affected. The fire department's quick response and the importance of fire drills were highlighted, while the extent of the damage and the cause of the fire remain under investigation.
A "college-aged male" was found dead outside a building on Purdue University's campus, with the Tippecanoe County Coroner's Office working to identify the deceased individual and notify next of kin. An autopsy was scheduled, and the university community mourns the loss of Neel Acharya, a double major in computer science and data science at the John Martinson Honors College, who was reportedly confirmed as the deceased individual.
The University of Maryland is investigating a pro-Palestinian rally organized by Students for Justice in Palestine after students reported antisemitic messages, including "Holocaust 2.0," written in chalk on campus walkways. Witnesses also heard calls for an "Intifada." The university condemned the offensive actions and launched an immediate investigation, with Maryland law enforcement conducting threat assessments. The Anti-Defamation League and Jewish groups issued a joint statement condemning the rally. Students for Justice in Palestine has faced suspensions and loss of recognition at other universities for its support of Hamas and its call for the elimination of Israel.
A "doxxing truck" operated by nonprofit news watchdog Accuracy in Media is driving around Harvard University displaying the names and photos of students who allegedly signed a letter blaming Israel for Hamas' recent attack. The truck's digital billboards show the words "Harvard's Leading Antisemites" over a slideshow of students' headshots and names. The truck also directs viewers to the website HarvardHatesJews.com, which encourages sending emails to members of Harvard's board of trustees. The truck has drawn criticism, with some calling it an invasion of privacy, while others argue it is important to hold antisemites accountable.
A Jewish center at the University of Pennsylvania was vandalized by a student who shouted antisemitic obscenities and trashed the lobby. The incident occurred just days before Yom Kippur and ahead of a controversial pro-Palestinian literature event on campus. The suspect was apprehended by campus police and is said to have been experiencing a crisis. The event has drawn criticism for featuring speakers who have made antisemitic remarks in the past. Despite the incident, Penn Hillel reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity and stated that its doors will always remain open to all members of the campus community.
Maxwell Curtis Pennebaker, a 19-year-old sophomore at Mississippi State University (MSU) from Madison, was found dead in a parked vehicle on campus. No foul play is suspected, and university officials, including MSU President Mark Keenum, expressed their condolences to Pennebaker's family and met with members of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity to offer support. The incident is currently under investigation.
